Warriors and Rodeo has many great partners and the American Military Celebration presented by 10x National Finals Qualifier Charly Crawford is no exception. This event brings together Military and First Responders along with the best team ropers in the world. These heroes will have a chance to learn from the best in a free two day clinic as well as rope against each other. That isn’t all, the professionals that come to the event also rope with these warriors for cash and prizes. All proceeds go towards building a home for an injured service member.
W.A.R. wants to support all of our American heroes and this event is star studded. W.A.R. members have been attending Charly Crawford’s clinic since it began and have watched it grow into the event it is today. There are members traveling from all over the United States and we want to recognize a few of them.
Curtis Imming
Curtis served in the United States Marine Corps from October 2002 to July 2007 and attended boot camp in San Diego, CA. He was assigned to India Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Camp Pendleton, CA as an infantryman, 0311, from March 2003 to October 2005. In that time, he spent 2 tours in Iraq and attained the rank of Corporal. In October 2005, he was accepted into Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC), passed, and obtained the 0321 MOS. He served in 1st Reconnaissance Battalion from October 2005 to July 2007. In that time, Curtis served an additional tour to Iraq and separated as a Sergeant.
He attended college at the University of Phoenix graduating with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2010. During that time, he worked for Raytheon Company in Tucson, AZ, Garland, TX, and McKinney, TX as a security specialist. In 2014, he began his federal law enforcement career. He worked in El Paso, TX for 6 years before transferring to Gallup, NM. He currently work violent crime on the Navajo Reservation and Zuni Pueblo.
Cody Ainsworth
Cody Ainsworth was a Volunteer Fire Fighter and first responder for Bruceville-Eddy, TX and Valley Mills, TX over the course of 15 years. He did maintenance on the equipment and worked many incidents. Cody is a truck driver, currently working for Gilliam Contracting and had been there for 7 years. Cody was raised on a ranch and has been team roping for 35 years and still does ranch work. Cody enjoys being outdoors and helping other people, whether it be shredding pastures or fixing fence. Cody also enjoys driving tractors especially antique tractors. He is an avid game hunter and loves fishing. He is married to Judi, who is a United States Navy Veteran who served 7 years in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Everett, Washington. Cody enjoys cooking BBQ, brisket, ribs, chicken, bacon wrapped jalapenos, you name it.
Kyle Vinyard
Warriors and Rodeo Vice President Kyle Vinyard is an Active Duty Army Warrant Officer and Paratrooper assigned to Fort Carson, CO. He has served almost 17 years to include multiple overseas tours and 2 combat deployments, one in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is an avid team roper and ranch horse competitor who volunteers his personal time supporting military and first responders. In addition to his involvement with Warriors and Rodeo, he also mentors future Air Force Leaders as a coach for the US Air Force Academy Rodeo Team.
Omar Benally
Omar is from St. Michaels, Arizona on the Navajo Nation. He currently lives in Greeley, Colorado with his wife, Lydia, and their four beautiful children: Sadie Grace, Cruz, Isabel, and Rose. He is an OIF II Veteran and was a Sergeant In the Marines. Omar served from 2001-2006. He has been a mechanic on mostly military aircraft for 20 years now. He has wanted to team rope since he was a little kid. That all became possible when he got his horse, Luna. Omar has met a lot of great people along the way and said he is excited and blessed to be a part of Warriors and Rodeo.
American Military Celebration Links: